[Letter to Mr Shiv Prasad]

Summary

In this two-page letter dated 4 January 1988, Minoo Masani responds to Shiv Prasad, Liaison Officer (M.P.) and Director of Estates, regarding rent arrears connected with premises occupied by Mrs. Albuquerque and formerly associated with the Swatantra Party. Masani states that the Swatantra Party was dissolved in 1973, that he had ceased to be its secretary in 1970 and resigned as its president in 1971, and that Piloo Mody was president from 1971 to 1973. He therefore rejects any personal or party liability for the arrears.

Masani attributes the accumulation of rent arrears to negligence by the Ministry of States, the Director of Estates, and the housing authorities, who permitted Mrs. Albuquerque to remain in the premises from 1970 until 26 March 1983 without paying rent. He offers possible leads for locating her, including UNICEF and her possibly related daughter, Usha Albuquerque, and closes by reiterating that responsibility lies with the government authorities rather than with him or the dissolved party.

Key points

• Masani says the Swatantra Party was dissolved in 1973 and no longer existed.
• He distinguishes his former positions from the period in which the rent arrears accumulated.
• He identifies Piloo Mody as the party president from 1971 to 1973.
• He argues that government estates and housing authorities negligently allowed unpaid occupancy from 1970 to 1983.
• He denies liability for Mrs. Albuquerque’s or the Swatantra Party’s rent arrears.
• He suggests contacting UNICEF and investigating Usha Albuquerque to locate Mrs. Albuquerque.